The Clever Consumer’s Guide to Shopping Online

Published on: 23 November 2018 Last Updated on: 05 November 2024

Over the past decade, the way in which we shop has completely changed. More of us now shop online, buying everything from our groceries, clothes, home appliances and smartphones from online stores. Statista estimates that 2.14 billion people will shop online by 2021, a huge increase from the 1.79 billion online shoppers in 2018 and the 1.32 billion who purchased goods online in 2014.

Shopping online offers greater convenience as we can buy goods from the comfort of our couches instead of braving the cold weather to head to the shops. In some cases, there are also goods that can only be purchased online because of stock issues at physical stores, or because they just don’t sell that particular item.

However, just because shopping online is easier than buying things in-person, that doesn’t mean that you should stop doing your due diligence when it comes to selecting products to buy and where you buy from them. You still want to get the best deals and offers and the best quality products. So, to help you achieve that, read our guide to being a clever consumer when you shop online.

The Clever Consumer’s Guide to Shopping Online:

Shop Around:

When you shop online, it can be very easy to be tempted by the first offer that you see. If you see a price that suits your budget, or an offer of “free shipping,” you may feel inclined to order right away. But don’t just order immediately, instead, a file that product listing away in the back of your mind (or add it to your bookmarks) and begin to shop around.

The beauty of online shopping is that it’s incredibly easy to compare everything say you want to purchase luxury soft towel online, you can look for tips before buying. Unlike shopping in-person where you would have to call different stores on the phone or visit them in person, a quick Google search will allow you to pull up a list of retailers that sell what you’re looking for. From then, you can quickly compare the prices, the cost of shipping the product, and bonuses (e.g loyalty offers and extra rewards) in order to find the offer that suits you best.

Do Your Research:

It’s always important to do your research when shopping, but especially online. You don’t want to be stuck with a product that wasn’t as you expected, leaving you feeling disappointed. You just want to be sure that what you’re ordering will be of high quality.

The first step in doing your research is to read reviews of that retailer. If the retailer sells brand new products, what do people say about those brands online? Some retailers list customer reviews directly under the products listings, or you could search for the brand name on social media to see what people are saying in real-time (try searching for the URL if there’s nothing recent for the brand name). Doing your research when buying used or refurbished goods, such as refurbished phones and laptops will look a little bit different. You’ll need to learn what seller refurbished means and how that differs from manufacturer refurbished (and vice versa) in order to understand who has refurbished a product and how it has been tested. These terms are commonly found in product listings on online retailers (including Amazon) and so finding out more about refurbished testing processes and how technicians have been trained can be key to getting quality refurbished goods.

Double-Check the Returns Policy:

Sometimes, even when you’ve done your due diligence and have researched the retailer and have confirmed that it is trustworthy, things still go wrong. This may be due to mistakes during shipping or the manufacturing process. These things happen and they’re unfortunate and disappointing, but if a store has a good returns policy, then you don’t have to worry.

Always double-check the returns policy before buying because you’ll want to know that you’re covered in the event that anything goes wrong. Some of the stores with the best return policies include IKEA which is famous for its 365 returns policy which lets you return something for a full refund within a year if you are unsatisfied. Bath & Body Works is also a standout as it has a 100% satisfaction guarantee, offering no limit on when you can return a product. In fact, it even has a price adjustment policy, letting you get some money back if the price of the product is lowered within 14 days of your purchase.

Review the Security:

Safety is paramount when shopping online. You’re placing a significant amount of trust in an online retailer because you’re showing them personal details such as your name, your address and your credit card info. Any time you spend money, you just want to know that your personal and confidential data is protected and will not fall into the wrong hands or be used for anything other than what you’ve consented too.

Reading reviews of retailers and doing your research as mentioned above can be a useful tool in this, but you may want to get even more technical given that this is the Internet. Something you can do in that case is to check the retailer’s SSL certificate. An SSL certificate is something that confirms that a website encrypts its data and that it cannot be intercepted by any malicious actors. You’ll know if a site has SSL because you’ll see a padlocked sign next to the URL (website) in the address bar at the top of your browser. The website will also start with the phrase “https” to let you know that it’s secure.

Armed with these top online shopping tips, you will be able to find the best prices and deals from the most trusted retailers. So enjoy your shopping and all of your new products.

Read Also:

How To Save Money When Shopping Online

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5 Perfect Fashion Clothing Choices for Petite Women

When it comes to fashion clothing for women, there is no dearth of choices. Be with western wear, ethnic wear, formal wear or casual wear, there are abundant choices a woman has. But when it comes to women western wear for petite women, who are slightly smaller is physique; it gets really hard to find a right dress. Though there are numerous dressing options, they don’t flatter different body portions perfectly. For those under 5’3”, the tops, as well as bottoms in normal sizes, look odd. Are you also one of them and bugged of adjusting with the oversized dresses? Aren’t online fashion boutiques helpful for you to get the stylish look you crave for? Let's know more. 5 Perfect Fashion Clothing Choices for Petite Women Here are 5 perfect fashion clothing choices for you to look gorgeous and stylish. The dressing options given below will also help you create the illusion of long height. 1. Maxi Dress There was a misconception that short women cannot adorn maxi dresses, but it has been falsified by many fashion bloggers. The well-cut maxi skirt can actually make you look taller. You just need to be careful with the selection of colors and length of your body. Solid versions that will create a long vertical line are the right pick for you to look beautiful in floor-grazing skirts. Team up the skirt with the fitted top and high heels underneath. 2. Wrap Dress If you are a great fan of women western wear, the wrap dress is a right choice for you to look stylish while covering the problem areas. The wrap dress is the best option for petite women having hourglass body shape. The dress allows you to highlight your assets and grab the attention of everyone around you. Buy a wrap dress in A-line or straight to get optimum results for your petite stature. 3. Denim Utility Suit or Jumpsuit You can effectively add a few fake inches by using the color technique. Create a vertical line by wearing a head-to-toe dress in the same color. Denim utility suit or designer jumpsuits for women are the best options for this strategy. This is not just an ultimate lazy-day dressing but also a chic and comfortable option to keep pace with the trend of the season. Pair the jumpsuit with simple flat sandals to let the dress do the talking. 4. Tube Paints This summer keep the jeans aside and make space for tube paints in your wardrobe. The form-fitting design of daisy print tube pants is super flattering option for petite women. You can add life to your shirts and give a glamorous transformation to an otherwise plain look. To create an illusion of taller height, buy daisy tube paints in ankle-grazer cut. 5. Go For Prints If you love to have fun, bright colored printed dresses are a must for your collection. Just make sure as a petite woman, you don’t buy large prints, as these can overwhelm your figure. Midi dress is a good choice for prints. Your summer collection will be incomplete without the floral midi dress and tunic tops. You can style it anywhere from casual outings to wedding parties and special summer occasions. Complete the look with designer earrings to make boys fall in love with you. Read More: Summer Shades And How To Wear Them Salwar Kameez Styles An Indian Bride Must Have In Her Wedding Trousseau Mens Can Now Have A Comfortable Winter Season

Things that Make Sense to Buy Second Hand

As the years go on, many people are becoming more open to the idea of buying things second-hand. People no longer want to go out to buy very expensive items for them to only last about a year. People want to spend their money wisely and have been leaning towards buying good quality items second hand rather than expensive low-quality newer items. As this craze has been picking up you may be surprised by what you can get second-hand. There is a whole world full of second-hand items that that you may not even be aware of, this article will show you some of the most surprising ones that will save you some money. Surprising Items that You Can Get Second-Hand: Ice Skates: One surprisingly expensive item is Ice Skates. If you are not a professional figure skater you may be surprised to hear that Ice Skates can be so expensive. For those who do skate, many people decide to seek out more cost-friendly options because of the high prices? These Ice Skates can be found at multiple second-hand stores and online. You may even find some ice skates that were never even worn, but if you do find some that have been worn, you have the bonus of not having to break them in! That will surely save you some blistering feet later in your skating life. Bowls: Another surprising thing that can be found second hand for a fair price is bowls. The company Bush Hill Bowls sells second-hand bowls that have stood the test on time and look very new. These second-hand bowls are a great option for people who do not want to spend too much money on new bowls. You can not only get a great deal but still, get great looking bowls that will last you for years to come. These second-hand bowls have a variety of different types and can also be divided between open and used in an open and not used. The bowls also come in many different colors and packages that you can choose from. You don’t even have to go to a second-hand store to find them. All of these bowls can be purchased online and delivered directly to your doorstep. Footballs: Another surprising thing that you can buy a second hand is footballs. You may stop and wonder, why on earth would you need to buy second-hand football? Well, there is actually a huge market out there that specializes in unique and never-before-seen footballs. These footballs can even include some from world cups and ones signed by famous players. These footballs are most likely just to use as a keepsake, rather than actually kicking hem around. These types of second-hand items are more for collectors whose hobby is seeking out and collecting these types of footballs. Hopefully, this article has introduced you into the yet to be explored the world of second-hand goods. This is just a quick look into the types of items that you can buy, there is really much more out there for you to explore! Read Also: How To Collect Vintage Items Honda Cars In Watertown NY: 8 Things To Check Before Buying A Second-Hand Car

How to Choose a Gift That Matches Their Personality Perfectly

No matter their age, choosing gifts for your loved ones is nothing short of a challenge. It turns into even more of a gauntlet (not Thanos') when you want to pick a present that fits their personality like a glove. Gifts by personality is the word you're looking for! But that’s no reason to give up your search for the perfect gift. Instead, you can solve this problem by investing a little time in learning more about your loved one’s passions and preferences. This not only allows you to know them on a deeper level, but also helps you narrow down your options for potential gifts. The following guide can help you learn exactly how to choose a gift that matches your loved one’s personality perfectly. How To Pick Perfect Gifts by Personality Personalizing gifts for any occasion is one of the best ways you can make someone feel special. It is also one of those things you can do easily without spending millions - anything thoughtful can make a great difference. Gifts by personality aren't difficult once you have the recipient’s personality right - this helps you make the choice easily. It is always great to have options that can bring a lot of joy to your recipient’s face and life! The following list of gift ideas can help you pick the best option. So, look through the list and read the idea that best fits your recipient’s personality. Recreate Their Favorite Childhood Memory This is one of those gift ideas you can give your childhood bestie or office colleagues. It all depends on the kind of bond you share with that colleague and if they had shared something from their childhood with you. This ensures you are not making them uncomfortable. Think of anything - a meal from their childhood you can cook, a kid’s show that was their favorite, or something relatable from a childhood story they shared. The thing about gifts by personality is that you cannot go wrong, unless you only know that person superficially. No holds barred with this idea. Another benefit of this idea is its practicality - you’re gifting something that will add to their list of memorabilia! Learn About Their Interests Interests are to personality what a foundation is to a home. By learning more about what brings a smile to your loved one’s face and lights a twinkle in their eyes, you can assess exactly what type of gifts may please them. This simple tip can help you with Father’s Day gift ideas, Mother’s Day present inspiration, and even a holiday gift frenzy. Quality Time/Experiential Gift Those who love nature and its aesthetics, this is something that they’ll appreciate for sure. Works even better if your gift recipient is an artist. This is because they have a profound admiration for beauty, although varying. You can give them an experiential gift such as Plein air drawing or horseback riding or arranging a tour of a vineyard or a winery. This is one of the best gifts that you can give anyone who appreciates this Consider Their Hobbies Besides learning about your loved one’s interests like their favorite subjects, movie genres, and types of music, you should also do a deep dive into their hobbies. For example, if your loved one likes to spend their free time playing games, you can deliver a new game title along with a birthday delivery basket. Similarly, if they prefer painting, you can get them a paint kit. Think About Their Likes and Dislikes If your loved one likes a single type of chocolate but dislikes every other, you know exactly which candy bars to get them. Gifts by personality become easier when you have knowledge of their likes and dislikes. In a similar vein, if they are averse to certain colors, you may do well to remember never to get a gift in those shades. Besides finding gifts, this practice also helps you with tasks like hosting a memorable friendship day party. Recall Recent Conversations When picking the perfect gift for your loved one, recalling recent conversations with them can also work like a charm. This can be a bit tricky. But if you regularly use a casual messaging app to keep in touch with your social circle, you can quickly revisit your chats to see if they expressed their interest in getting something specific. This can chart a quick path to the ideal gift. Go Back to Past Gift Choices If you have been exchanging gifts with your loved ones for a while, ue it to your advantage. You may also go down memory lane to see what type of presents really struck a chord with them. This allows you to determine which presents on your shortlist you should really consider for the upcoming occasion and which ones you should stay well away from. See If They Have a Wishlist In case your friend, family member, or romantic partner uses a wishlist platform, ask them to share it. If it is on a shared account, easy-peasy, all you need to do is check it out. This does your entire job of searching for a present for them. From there, you just need to locate the right store to buy that gift. To save some money, you may still want to shop around for the best deals. Respect Their Values Whether you are gifting Valentine’s Day roses to your partner or buying luxury clothing for your children, consider their choices. Respecting the values of the recipient helps you with choosing a great gift. For example, if your loved one wants to give back to the world on their birthday, you can help! Simply choose to make a contribution to their favorite charity. This consideration lets you buy a gift that’s really special for them. Get Something They Wouldn’t Buy For Themselves This is the golden rule of giving gifts by personality type: Whether you are buying a gift for someone’s interest, hobby, or values, do your research. You may want to see if it’s something that they may not purchase for themselves. This makes the present extra special. In case you are still unsure, you can use a gift card app to find your loved one a gift from their favorite store or brand. These suggestions help you pick a gift that is tailor-made for your loved ones! It all but certifies that they enjoy the present. You can follow this guide for all types of occasions to make sure your gifts remain a hit with your social circle.

The Clever Consumer’s Guide to Shopping Online